Cowen expected to sign today

Jared Cowen is getting ready return to the club’s blueline, the Ottawa Sun has learned.
The Senators will likely end their contract dispute with the 22-year-old defenceman Saturday with a four-year deal worth approximately $12 million that will allow the restricted free agent to report to camp.
Only hours after Senators assistant GM Tim Murray declared the two sides were at an impasse, he went back to the bargaining table with Cowen’s Alberta-based agent Rick Valette and both showed a willingness to bend.
“We’ve held talks and we’re trying to find a resolution,” Valette told the Sun when reached at 9 p.m. Friday.
Cowen, who has missed the first four days of training camp, will likely join the club Monday in Saskatoon. He has been skating there and the Senators will be in town to face the Calgary Flames in a pre-season game.
Coming out of an entry-level contract, the two sides have had a hard time determining Cowen’s value. The Senators orginal offer was an eight-year, $28 million contract which would have paid him $3.5 million per-season.
Cowen’s camp didn’t want to sign that kind of deal.
Murray said a four-year deal is good for both sides.
“They felt they were leaving too much money on the table and that’s fair,” said Murray. “It’s hard to gauge for them where he’s going to be in five years. We both started talking four year deals. I have no problem saying that.
“A four year deal is fair for both sides: He gets to establish himself what they believe as a top player. He’ll have one year of restricted free agency after the deal he could hit a home run. We’re both on the same side on the term.”
Cowen’s decision to join the club means everybody is in camp. The Senators are also expected to confirm their captain Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre with Jason Spezza as the odds-on favourite to get the ‘C’.

It`s interesting that the Murray’s constantly use the forum of public opinion to air out contractual differences. I wouldn’t be so quick to associate Cowen’s signing to Timmy’s public undressing of an agent? I will suggest that Cowen and his agent won this deal, wouldn`t you say Mikey?

Lets face it, the kid had 90 games in the NHL, is awful in the post season has fought 3 times twice with those who are 40 and 50 pounds lighter than he is and he’s had to major surgeries! Cowen fought Westgarth because he had to. He signed for more money that the reigning Norris Trophy winner!!! So, was the 4 year, 12 million dollars a bargain for the Sens or a boom for Cowen? I suggest that Tim’s public display had very little to do with getting the contract signed. The agent and Cowen won.

Timmy says that Cowen is a poster boy for what the team wants here; there are many posters? Has he said similar things about Philips, Methot, Karlsson others. Why in the world would someone say, ìn 8 years Cowen may become the best defenceman in the NHL!!! This is beyond silly. Will Cowen and his slow feet surpasse Subban, Pietrangelo and a host of others. Donny, clown comment bro! Hokey Canada did indeed recognize Cowen; he played in the WJC and because of his poor skating, propensity that persists today to cough up the puck and get beat, he road the pines! 8 years…seriously…in 8 years careers will begin and end. Does it take 8 years to develop. Will there be no one graduating to the NHL who can take Chara or Weber`s place.

So the team made the difficult decision to emancipate the once brow beaten Spezza to royalty! The image makers are hard at it already. Of course this is for public consumption because as far as the team is concerned, it`s business as usual. Spezza never, ever lead the Senators in give aways but others who were never booed, have (Philips, Gonchar and Karlsson are among them). He was a lightening rod for criticism because he is over a point per game in his career.

BM made the call (much like I think he decides who gets promoted from the manures, who plays and who doesn`t). I am not so sure what Rocco learned from the previous Captain; should he sit idly by while: some players party when fighting for a Stanley Cup; when players embarrass the organization; rumours persist about drug – alcohol abuse; when players are abused by the media and fans; when some players don`t make an effort. I know Spez has mentored more than just the young Swedes even though he was never recognized for it until this year when it served the Organizations best interest. You wont find Spez wearing women`s accessories, dying his hair, lying to the media, punctuating every sentence with a guttural uhhhh uhhhh. He wont tell the team they don`t have a chance. Spezza embraced the media from day one. For his nervous laughter, he was ridiculed. For give aways, crucified. The lemmings hated him just 2 years ago! Will he now be loved.

I watched the Caps and the Peg face off last night and during the broadcast I learned that Evander Kane was not invited by that brilliant hockey executive, Steve Yzerman, to play for Team Canada in the upcoming Olympics. As much as I really like and always have, Chris Kunitz, is he a better choice than Kane. Who is bigger, who is much faster, which one is better with the puck, who has the ability to take the puck from coast to coast and aren`t these skills better suited to a larger ice surface (these skills are better no matter the size of the ice, regardless of what some may say). Kane was far and away the best player on the ice last night that included OV. You may not like the man who on occasion has acted like an immature and spoiled boy but icing the best team and giving Canada the best chance to win gold has very little to do with who you may or may no like!

I will forever be baffled by the decisions made by Hokey Canada. Mr. Happy is another who has difficulty with the English language, oh he forms the words properly, he just can`t put them in a sentence and has difficulty expressing a thought. But…he brilliant! Hockey Canada has had some other brilliant individuals lead the charge, especially in the WJCs. They must be sweetening on one who has been conspicuously ignored. Most recently Dale Hunter was called upon to Coach the under 18 team to compete against the world and…as I expected…the team won!

So Calgarians will love Lord Burke. I predict it will be short lived. Burke`s saving grace is the reality that Calgary is in a rebuild and he will be given years to be measured…but will Feaster be given the same. Burke,in spite of what hemay say, would have preferred to be elsewhere but took this one because he knew he had to if…he was to return to where he is most comfortable in the NHL…sitting on a throne. He took his sweet time to accept the offer and the position is one of mystery and confusion. This was designed to bring Lord Burke on board and demonstrated the Flame`s desperation!

It confuses me why there is so much focus on fitness in camp these days. I believe the players come into camp in great shape and although they may get a little better physically, camps are for determining who will make the team and who will play with who! So when I see Yosmite Sam bag skating seasoned veterans, I have to laugh. He enjoys seeing how great athletes react when they are tired, decisions they make etc, I would prefer to see how they play. Every season is brutally long and more players suffer injuries that keep them out of the lineup for extended periods of time. Running them to point of exhaustion before the season begins, especially those who have proven their worth for years, can only be described as bizarre. I have always believed the best way to make a decision on a player no matter the sport was watching them play not having them performs tests hooked to machines in a gym or endurance tests.

Brian Murray said there was no debate in the discussion to make Spezza, Captain. No debate? How could there be no debate but require 6 weeks to elapse for “due diligence” in the decision making process? Is there anybody else who finds the entire Spezza affair amusing? The media who collectively joined the General Manager crucifying him just two years ago (and many years before that) have all joined forces to celebrate his entre career!!! I challenge anyone to show me an article written before the last few weeks that suggested he was a leader in the dressing room and on the ice; that he mentored the youngsters; he was the one who organized the rookie dinner (that didn’t happen last year because he was absent due to injury); he was “born to lead”. Even at the Coronation the General Manager couldn’t manage a smile.

I suspect the lemmings will all hop on board now. Confusion will consume them at first but that too will change. Rocco will never be as popular as Annika. After all, Annika was made a God from the get go where as Spezza was demonized. He’s had to endure a constant barrage of criticism. From Jacques Martin’s insults, media obsession for his give aways and nervous laughter, to Management public squabble and slander and most recently, Mr. Happy’s refusal to even invite him to try out for Team Canada, Spezza has had to endure far more than any other star player the NHL. It is a testimony to his inner strength that he has been able put up with it for so long and treat the media/ fans with respect and still put up outstanding numbers!

Yes, Spezza is now “C worthy”. it is “Spezza’s Time” it is ‘Sezza’s Team” and the “Spezza Era Begins”. Oh my, how things have changed. Who would have thought that he could have transformed so much in just 2 years! Indeed, he will now be recognized for his offensive output (over a point per game in his 600 plus games played). He now can be celebrated for killing penalties as well as serve time on the PP and regular shift. It is now OK to share the notion that other players go to him, that he mentors the kids no matter where they may have been born, that he has led on and off the ice. It is now safe to acknowledge that he has been generous with his time for the media and respectful even though they have been hostile.

In the other paper, Sutcliffe (stick to business son) writes we fans need to get over our obsession with Annika. Really Mark? The media obsesses but I am not so sure fans have. Yes, many worshipped the false (invented) prophet and I suspect you are a member of the minority who actually daydreamed about hangin’ with the guy but your article today is yet another example of the media’s obsession! But what are we to expect from someone who believes everyone living in Ottawa should cheer for the Senators. I do, but certainly don’t think everyone should! Perhaps you can now obsess, once you get over your heartbreak, about Spezza. At lease he is real.

Mikey, I hope you are right but, I can’t see it happening. His best asset is his size but he doesn’t use it enough! Dave concedes he is not quick and doesn’t move well laterally and that isn’t very good when the players are getting quicker and faster! We have seen him (even in the WJHC) cough the puck up when pressured. In the very few post season games he’s played he is what, minus 9?! Is he tough? Fighting White (190 lbs) and someone much smaller for Carolina, doesn’t qualify and as I have said, getting into a tussle with Westgarth (who challenged Cowen for taking on someone so small) again, doesn’t qualify. We will soon see what he can do. Timmy rewarded him plenty for “potential” so the pressure is now on Cowen to prove it was deserved.

Interesting that the 6′, 170 lb Hoffman gained 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason (he needed to). This is proof positive it can be done. All it takes is discipline, commitment and of course the willingness to want to make yourself better! His play is now earning him some ink. Even more interesting is Petersson’s release from the purgatory! For the last 2 years he has been persona non grata! Will he again be described as the guy who will patrol Spezza’s right side (or any other pivot’s right wing) for the next 10 years? It looks like he’s had a major attitude adjustment and that is very good (he should talk to the brooding Lehner).

It looks like B/Mac is back. From what I understand he tuned Sdao who was punished or delivering a clean hit. I don’t understand this trend that has emerged, the need to fight someone because of a legitimate body check! I do understand it when a check is ruthless and recklessly legal (like the one last night on Klesla).

The Habs finished the regular season 4th overall (much higher that the Sens)! They were among the league leaders in goals scored (the Sens were one of the leagues worst). Perhaps (call me crazy) that might explain why some have suggested they Montreal wa more talented than the Senators.

Price looked God awful again last night and I suspect Bergevin (and his entire LEAGUE of staff members), have to be concerned. It is a good thing they drafted Furcale from the Moosehead.

Who the hell is this great big kid Buddy Robinson? You have got to love kids who are big (he is 6-5 and 220 plus) and love them that much more if they are fast! I listened to the game last night for a little while but Brown and Wilson were too much for me. I had to kill it but lasted much longer than I expected, I punched the clock at the 13 minute mark of the 1st period! Boro scored a goal. Damn I love his big heart! He may just will himself into this league although the odds are against that happening!

Ian Mendez has found a new schtick that is uniquely his: a top 10 theme! Articles used to be all about content, over the last couple of years it is all about filling a gap!

“The Habs finished the regular season 4th overall (much higher that the Sens)! They were among the league leaders in goals scored (the Sens were one of the leagues worst). Perhaps (call me crazy) that might explain why some have suggested they Montreal wa more talented than the Senators. ”

I am sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the tears and sobs of your captain.

I think Zibanisbad’s game may be on the slide. Again, I hope I am wrong but there has been little evidence in his play the last 2 years to suggest he will be anything more than a 3rd or 4th line player. He never starred in the SEL, in fact, he was awful, yet he was brought to North America to play in the AHL. His play in the American Hockey League was OK but he never completed a year before being promoted to the NHL. Others, including Hoffman, Petersson and most recently Prince, all played a full year and demonstrated their worth by posting great numbers and having outstanding years! Not only did Zibanisbad get promoted to the NHL prematurely, the media attention was over the top as the image makers worked over time! Ignored by fans and the media alike has been Zibanisbad’s unwillingness to want the puck and ability do something significant with it. In the very few games I have seen with Prince, Petersson, Hoffman and even Robinson in the lineup, they have shown far more than Mika! So has the diminutive Pageau with is eagerness to engage the opposition no matter where the traffic may be. They have all shown far more speed as well! Even the smaller yet, Conacher has demonstrated more competitiveness!

I could be wrong but I have noticed a perceptive difference in Zibby’s behaviour. I don’t think he has the confidence he had when he first came here. He was too young and inexperienced to realize how tough it is to eke out a living playing NHL hockey. Hype can only take you so far. At some point he had to know his game was not where the Organization had suggested it was. He is not a PP guy but he did see a lot of ice-time with the man advantage! Could it be that he is now aware of his short comings? It has to be tough to live up to unrealistic expectations especially when they came with very little historical evidence!

We saw him hit the bottom in the post season last year! As much as he never demonstrated to me he truly wanted the puck during the regular season, it was worse in the playoffs. Yes, there will be many who will suggest he is young and he is but where is the heart, passion and courage? I never see the same level effort from him, I see in every shift from other youngsters!

This year will be a big one for Zibanisbad. He no longer has his countryman o the right side to unload the puck off to many times every shift, every game. He will turn 21 and should be counted on to do and bring more; not just once in a while but, every game. To me, that more has far more to do with effort than skill (he doesn’t have a lot of skill that I have seen). We fans will want to read more about his game on the ice than in a bar. Z/Bad?………..too easy.

Did everyone see the clip of “Yosemite Sam” with the media in \Vancouver? I am sure he has been practicing Serenity Now since the announcement he was Coach but it has to go against the grain! During scrum with the media a reporters cell phone rang and he returned to his arrogant, pretentious and condescending ways! He suggested someone would get fired and then threatened, it if happened again, he would walk!!!

There are many things wrong about this of course, including his over inflated ego but certainly he has enough active brain cells between the ears to appreciate the reality that the media rely on real time information. Having access to the internet, social media and taking calls from a multitude of sources is reporters lifeblood! Like business, the quicker one can access accurate information, the quicker he/she can pounce on it. Most of the time, this is the difference between mediocrity and excellence!

Should…when…Yosemite Sam succumbs to his real self, how long will it take before the Vancouver media launch an all out war? It is only a matter of time!

Bobby the kid won a Norris and is an amazing hockey player…if he gained 10lbs you would ask why not 11lbs.

You appreciate his offensive ability but don’t like him as a player and I expect that won’t change regardless of what he does but I will look forward to the minute detail you will go into in order to find fault with his game.

Cowen hasn’t proven anything but he has fought all comers so far, he did ask to fight Larose – he came at him, he didn’t ask to fight White, he stood up for a team mate who got chopped in the back of the knee. I also don’t understand how someone with such a keen eye as yours doesn’t feel Cowen hits hard as he lays guys out nearly every game. There are not many crushing open ice hits anymore but if you recall the reason he had to fight Larose was that he smoked Skinner at center ice.

I really hope Hoffman impresses enough to get a shot at the 2nd line winger spot as I would love to see him get a real opportunity to show his stuff and while I like Conacher I think he looked good with Zibby last year so having him on the 3rd line wing would be gravy…especially with Greening – speed and skill / size/speed and skill in the middle and then size/speed/skill on the right.

Looking forward to seeing the game on TSN tomorrow night when I get home – will really start to feel like hockey season!

Also, nobody made Alfie a God – he earned being a well respected player via his intense play each and every shift and ability to be a catalyst when the Senators needed something to happen. It wasn’t an elaborate marketing ploy – it is educated hockey fans understanding that a special player was here for a long time and showing appreciation.

Dave, I don’t go out of my way to find fault in Karly’s game; as you know, I don’t like players who avoid the corners like the plague and are all to willing to concede loose pucks. I never liked defencemen who are soft and static in their own end. But in particular, I have always hated diving, faking injury and quitting on a play. Do you not agree that Karlsson looks to be scary skinny? If not, why not? Dean Brown and the rest of them who are paid by the Sens organization are quick to often point out he is 175 soaking wet. Is this something to boast about? Would it not serve him well to get bigger and stronger? Why are other slight players told to gain weight by the fitness gurus and not Karly? Is it again an example of another Swede who is off limits? I love offense, there is not doubt about it, but I have little respect for a player who does all the other things.

He is at his best when things are easy and good (per Methot). Isn’t everybody? We have seen him disappear in the post season two years in a row now but loyal fans will rationalize that too. I don’t see him showing up for every game especially againsat the tough and physical teams. Perhaps with more muscle on his bones he could be more effective in these games.

As for Cowen, I never suggested he initiated the fights only that fighting those 40 and 50 pounds lighter is not measure of his toughness. In his 90 NHL games, has he not seen some take liberties with his team mates? I am sure he has but like the Big Rig, it wasn’t enough to stimulate a response! I hope the kid does extremely well and it is my opinion only that he needs to use his enormous size more effectively. Anybody can hit another into the boards (even Karly will do that on occasion). I encourage Cowen to continue doing it but I want to see him deliver punching checks in the open ice. Again, it is my opinion only that Cowen would be far more effective he added that dimension to his game. He doesn’t possess quick feet and can be victimized and I don’t see players much smaller fear his presence. I have said this of Chara too, if he got far more physical and truly punished those who venture in his own end, he would be that much more effective. He needs to, to compensate for his lack of quickness.

No body made Annika a God? I have a hard time believing your are being honest here Dave. Another special player has been here for a long time. Spezza has put up better numbers (PPG) in his time in the NHL but he was demonized only 2 short years ago! now he is Spezzial. Annika played hockey, did it very well was paid handsomely for it but was a hermit, showed up and was the face for programs only when asked and for that he was called a Community Leader, Community Builder, a Hero. As an educated hockey fan, I appreciated his hockey skills but as adult (sometimes) that was all. The image makers invented the 11:11 countdown and they also invented a villain. Now it is time for reinvention!

Pav…mate…give it a rest. My Captain, my Captain is Rocco. I do however respect many others in the league who wear the C. You on the other hand are eager to share with everyone you wont/can’y. If it is outside the NCR, you don’t care and suspect, just don’t know. Hell, you have proven it for years now. And I live in a box and the game has passed me by???? If you understood the game (it aint that complicated) you could learn to appreciate talent no matter what colours they wear. I will be watching and enjoying players on both ends of the rink tonight as I do in every game I watch. Instead of disliking every other team and their players you could enjoy them! And I am the hater!?

Every time I hear or read something about Buddy Ryan (per the NHL Executive Sean Simpson) I like him more. In a recent interview, Bobby Robinson offered some insight into what it was like in Anaheim. He could have taken the opportunity to vent for the constant brow beating and abuse he was subjected to, instead, he took the high road. For a kid who has experienced some very difficult times in his private life and in first 4 years in the NHL, he seems to have it together and wise beyond his years. Damn I love the kid.

I am with you Dave and really looking forward to the game tonight! I hope The Hoff and Petersson are both in the lineup but suspect only one will be!

It is interesting that Obrien is still in the mix. I am not a huge fan but he did/does show up for every game, he leaves it all on the ice and was among the team leaders in goals before he fell out of favor and didn’t dress! Why was that again?

Petersson desperately needed an attitude adjustment and it looks like he has made the transformation from the kid who felt entitled to one who is happy to have an opportunity and eager to prove his worthyness (he did put up outstanding numbers in his rookie year with 23 goals but it earned him one look only). I say good on him! There is no question he is blessed with talent. He is unafraid, can skate, is magic with the puck, never gets too excited, has patience (talented players all share it) has a great shot/release and is a wonderful passer. With all these skills and a positive attitude, he could make it very difficult for Conacher and Pageau. What he needs and I think has earned is something selected players get by default on this team…an extended look. After all, Zib, Silfverberg, Butler, Rund’sbad, Da Costa are among those who were so blessed!

Bobby you are making this into Alfie VS Spezza, not me, so keep that in mind when you read this.

Over the years Spezza certainly has put up PPG numbers and has some magical feeds to his name. That said, tell me about a specific, significant Spezza moment. Tell me about a play that he made in a meaningful game that we will all remember. Tell me about a good back-check he made, about a hit he made that turned things around or got the team and crowd going. Tell me about an end-to-end rush that came at just the right time. Tell me about an OT goal he scored or set up.

You know we could both recite more than a few Alfie moments like that. It is great that Spezza is the captain and as I have said for years he is under appreciated but he isn’t known as a player that is there for the team in the crunch or when needed most. Nobody made this up, it is a fact.

Spezza hasn’t won anything since he was in Bantam or earlier and that includes when he played for Team Canada in juniors and at Worlds. He was specifically under-whelming at the Juniors even though he was lighting up the OHL.

Spezza had 3 straight years where he was well above a PPG and that was when he played with Alfie and Cheatley which help inflate his stats. He also had 84 in 80 games in ’11/’12.

He gives the puck away (did again several times last night and while one young D gets called out about that all the time Spezza is exempt from such comments since he is only ruining offensive pressure most of the time), isn’t quick laterally (much like a young D that gets chirped about that by some on here constantly), is not physical at all despite being 6’3″ and 216lbs (much like a different young D who gets chirped on here about that by some constantly even though he was born with a slight frame).

So please Bobby, tell me how the media or us poor ignorant fans made up this story of Alfie and have ignored all of the qualities of Spezza.

You know your stuff but you are stubborn and only want the story to go the way you believe it goes – it is amazing what you are willing to ignore or distort to fit your commentary.

“Over the years Spezza certainly has put up PPG numbers and has some magical feeds to his name. That said, tell me about a specific, significant Spezza moment. Tell me about a play that he made in a meaningful game that we will all remember. Tell me about a good back-check he made, about a hit he made that turned things around or got the team and crowd going. Tell me about an end-to-end rush that came at just the right time. Tell me about an OT goal he scored or set up.”

^^^ 100 times this. The only thing that comes to mind is a game in Montreal a few years ago where he dominated and got a few and the winner. I honestly can’t think of anything else. I said it before and I will say to my grave, he is Pierre Turgeon in a Senators uniform. Points points points but will you ever see him do what Toews did in the playoffs, lurking around shorthanded, blocking a scoring attempt then rushing in for a backbreaker? NOT. A. CHANCE.

As to Bobby’s other points:

1)Evander Kane: Never getting invited, behavioural issues. “Moneyphone” picture in Twitter, allegations of walking out on restraurant bills in the ‘Peg. Too brash, not going to make it.

2)Alfredsson: Short term memory there Bobby, he was crucified nonstop until 2006. People called him soft, no heart, bad leader until 2007 where he was almost traded for Craig Conroy and reinvented his game to a two-way player with an edge and was our best player in that lone Cup run. Yes he has said some REALLY goofy things and done some REALLY goofy things but no one helped this franchise more OFF the ice: Boys & Girls Club, Royal Ottawa, spokesman for team and city, always available. Spezza? Who the hell knows, he’s probably in Mississauga right now, he doesn’t like living in Ottawa, hee hee hee giggle giggle.

3)Spezza as captain: Points need to be taken in context. You keep saying he is PPG, he is PPG AVERAGE. He wasn’t PPG in the playoffs this year when he played, or against the Rangers last year, or against…he gets multiple points in blowout wins and losses and the tighter the games get the less he produces.

4)Cowen: 3 mil is top 4 money. It’s not a lot. Elite D like Karlsson, Weber, Chara, Doughty get 6-8. Above average elite guys get 5-6/7. Second pairing guys get 3-4. Yes, Cowen is slow but he’s also only in hsi early 20s. If he learns his game properly he could be a poor man’s Kevin Hatcher back there. I’m not a BIG fan but he’s part of the team’s future.

5)Zibanejad: Let’s not go crazy. He’s a third-line centre on this team and he’s not bad at that. He can win draws, get some points, play the wing, responsible defensively. I laughed when I heard Wilson say he was a Mike Fisher when I said he SAME thing AGES ago and was dismissed by York and Sweaterman.

Leave a comment

About the authors

Bruce Garrioch is an award-winning journalist and a must-read in the hockey community. A Day-Oner at the Ottawa Sun, Garrioch is one of the top sports journalists in the country, covering the Senators since their return to the NHL in 1992-93. A 2009 winner of an Ontario Newspaper Award for his coverage of the Dany Heatley saga, Garrioch has a strong ability to break news and brings inside information with his Sunday NHL column, one of the most popular in the country. It is read by GMs, players and coaches who want the inside scoop. Garrioch has covered the 2008 Stanley Cup final for Sun Media, the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City and 2006 Games in Turin, Italy. Mainly, Garrioch has the pulse of the Ottawa Senators. If people want to know what's happening they turn to him to get the info on contracts, negotiations, signings, trades and, of course, games.

Don Brennan is a Day 1 employee of the Ottawa Sun. He has spent the majority of his 23 years as a sports reporter/columnist, covering the Senators since their return to the NHL in 1992, and prior to that writing about the Rough Riders, 67's and other sports. Brennan also wrote a Page 6 column in the Sun for nine months. A native of North Bay, Brennan moved to attend Centennial College in 1978. He remained in Toronto for a decade, working first as a freelancer, than an editor with the Toronto Sun. Brennan has lived in Ottawa full time ever since.

Don Brennan and Bruce Garrioch are Ottawa's all-star hockey writing duo, and will be regularly contributing to Off The Posts.

Their combined experience covering local, national and international hockey means they have the sources to get the inside information on the Senators and the NHL which might not be available to others.

Check back often for notes, quotes and commentary. They might even disagree with each other once in awhile.